Multiple-dial check reading: Pointer symmetry compared with uniform alignment

Abstract

24 Ss participated in two experiments in which they were required to pick out, from printed panels containing 16 dials, the dial with a deviating pointer. Two versions of a uniformly-aligned configuration and one version of a symmetrically-aligned configuration were studied. S was required to identify both the "different" dial and the direction of the deviating pointer. It was found that (1) both configurations were equally effective for check reading after extended practice, (2) early in practice symmetrical alignment configurations appear to be more difficult, (3) transfer effects from pointer symmetry to uniform alignment are greater than transfer effects in the other direction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)